WY House says it will no longer support school lunch program
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Feb 23, 2010
A budget amendment was brought today in the Wyoming House that would provide funding for the school lunch program. The amendment was brought by Rep. Cathy Connolly (D-Laramie), but failed in a voice vote. It would have provided $3.6 million in funding.
Connolly argued that this problem has come about because costs of programs have increased by 20% in the past few years and that there are often very few students in Wyoming schools. She pointed out how 1/3 of all Wyoming students are eligible for free or reduced cost lunches. Many families, she said, count on this program to feed their children because they cannot afford to.
Connolly noted that school districts could raise meal prices to cover the deficit, but noted, "A study done in 2007 for the Wyoming Department of Education indicated that the current charges for paid meals in the schools are generally considered to be the maximum that students and families can pay and they are among the highest in the nation."
Rep. Patton (R-Sheridan) stood and called for focusing on a quality educational opportunity. He says that in recalibration is when this should be addressed because it is a real problem. Rep. Craft (D-Rock Springs) argued that because of recalibration we should continue this funding for one more year and then it really can be addressed in one more year.According to Ken Decaria of the Wyoming Education Association, because this amendment did not pass it will fall to the school districts to make the plan self-supporting and that could likely mean raising the price that families pay for children's meals.
Soon thereafter an amendment came to pull money from a reserve account to fund the purchase of a state liquor warehouse. Rep. Throne said the juxtaposition was astounding and that she, an attorney, was "speechless." Another Rep. Wallis (R-Recluse) retorted that the alcohol industry represents significant revenue for the state and school lunches do not. There is a statement of values.
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Re: WY House says it will no longer support school lunch program
Oct 24, 2010 | Pat Duffy | staranddodger@gmail.comAlong with more subsidy the content of school meals needs to be reviewed. There are still too many lunches of burgers and pizza. The knock on affect is obesity, diabetes, heart disease. Long term improved funding, and diet, would be self financing